Patents by Inventor Steve M. Kahrs

Steve M. Kahrs has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12023981
    Abstract: An air-handling system for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first flow path through which a first flow of air is configured to selectively flow and a second flow path through which a second flow of air is configured to selectively flow. A heat exchange passageway provides fluid communication between the first flow path and the second flow path within the housing. A heat sink is disposed within the heat exchange passageway and is associated with cooling a linear power module of a blower assembly disposed within the housing. The heat sink is configured to exchange heat with air disposed within the heat exchange passageway to provide cooling of the linear power module regardless of a mode of operation of the blower assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Travis LaCross, Jayanthi Iyer, Steve M. Kahrs, Ian Lewczynski
  • Publication number: 20240025223
    Abstract: An air-handling system for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first flow path through which a first flow of air is configured to selectively flow and a second flow path through which a second flow of air is configured to selectively flow. A heat exchange passageway provides fluid communication between the first flow path and the second flow path within the housing. A heat sink is disposed within the heat exchange passageway and is associated with cooling a linear power module of a blower assembly disposed within the housing. The heat sink is configured to exchange heat with air disposed within the heat exchange passageway to provide cooling of the linear power module regardless of a mode of operation of the blower assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Travis LaCross, Jayanthi Iyer, Steve M. Kahrs, Ian Lewczynski
  • Patent number: 9931908
    Abstract: An air inlet system for an automotive HVAC system has a housing comprising a first cylindrical segment enclosing an interior space and having a first radial surface with a first angular divergence. The first radial surface has a fresh air aperture and a recirculation aperture for radially receiving fresh air and recirculated air, respectively. The housing further comprises an outlet body with an exit aperture. A pivoting door element is mounted in the interior space and shaped as a second cylindrical segment with a second radial surface with a second angular divergence which is less than the first angular divergence. The door element has a pivot axis that allows the second radial surface to slide along the first radial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Trenton S. Meehan, Vivek A. Jairazbhoy, Steve M. Kahrs
  • Patent number: 8226068
    Abstract: A plenum assembly for carrying air in a supply system includes a duct including an opening formed with an inner surface through which air can flow; a door supported for movement between multiple positions which distributes air to the desired output path; and a seal secured to the door. In a vehicles HVAC system, numerous doors are utilized to provide comfort to the passengers based upon user input. The potential exists that some positions of the doors my lead to unwanted noise. A modification to the seal of the door with variable gap widths alleviates this issue and improves satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Azar, Grant Holaiter, Steve M. Kahrs, James Hurd
  • Publication number: 20120034859
    Abstract: An air inlet system for an automotive HVAC system has a housing comprising a first cylindrical segment enclosing an interior space and having a first radial surface with a first angular divergence. The first radial surface has a fresh air aperture and a recirculation aperture for radially receiving fresh air and recirculated air, respectively. The housing further comprises an outlet body with an exit aperture. A pivoting door element is mounted in the interior space and shaped as a second cylindrical segment with a second radial surface with a second angular divergence which is less than the first angular divergence. The door element has a pivot axis that allows the second radial surface to slide along the first radial surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Trenton S. Meehan, Vivek A. Jairazbhoy, Steve M. Kahrs
  • Publication number: 20100224253
    Abstract: A plenum assembly for carrying air in a supply system includes a duct including an opening formed with an inner surface through which air can flow; a door supported for movement between multiple positions which distributes air to the desired output path; and a seal secured to the door. In a vehicles HVAC system, numerous doors are utilized to provide comfort to the passengers based upon user input. The potential exists that some positions of the doors my lead to unwanted noise. A modification to the seal of the door with variable gap widths alleviates this issue and improves satisfaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: John Azar, Grant Holaiter, Steve M. Kahrs, James Hurd
  • Patent number: 6896478
    Abstract: A dual fan blower module of the present invention includes a housing defining a central motor compartment and first and second scroll chambers. The scroll chambers are axially aligned with and located on opposite sides of the motor compartment. A motor is mounted within the motor compartment and has first and second shaft ends extending axially therefrom. The first shaft end extends into the first scroll chamber and the second shaft end extends into the second scroll chamber. A first fan is mounted onto the first shaft end within the first scroll chamber for rotational movement within the first scroll chamber and a second fan is mounted onto the second shaft end within the second scroll chamber for rotational movement within the second scroll chamber. Each of the first and second scroll chambers includes an expansion channel extending axially inward toward the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Monier B. Botros, Steve M. Kahrs, Eric K. Haupt, Dennis A. Vermette, Gerald B. Chendes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040115039
    Abstract: A dual fan blower module of the present invention includes a housing defining a central motor compartment and first and second scroll chambers. The scroll chambers are axially aligned with and located on opposite sides of the motor compartment. A motor is mounted within the motor compartment and has first and second shaft ends extending axially therefrom. The first shaft end extends into the first scroll chamber and the second shaft end extends into the second scroll chamber. A first fan is mounted onto the first shaft end within the first scroll chamber for rotational movement within the first scroll chamber and a second fan is mounted onto the second shaft end within the second scroll chamber for rotational movement within the second scroll chamber. Each of the first and second scroll chambers includes an expansion channel extending axially inward toward the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Monier B. Botros, Steve M. Kahrs, Eric K. Haupt, Dennis A. Vermette, Gerald B. Chendes